Blog Comments Share

Thank you to everyone who always reads the blog. Today, for the ninth edition of sharing blog comments, we’ll introduce some notable comments from our readers here. Please understand that some parts have been edited to provide context for the excerpts we share.

GT3 on Rainy Days

【1】I also drive my GT3 to work on rainy days, and I do feel that “puddles in ruts are definitely bad.” But if it’s just wet roads, like the owner, I find no problem at all. The other day, during heavy rain, a low section of a motorway that usually doesn’t bother me with elevation changes turned into a pond like I’d never experienced before. Still, since there was no way to detour, I had no choice but to drive through it.

I was worried for a few days but thankfully there were no issues, so I was relieved. Let’s be careful on days with sudden heavy downpours, especially because the ride height is low. (991-2 GT3 MT)

【2】I’m enjoying the driving pleasure since my 993. After one month of delivery, I’ve driven 3,000 km and changed the oil at 4,000 km. I often take long trips like Tokyo-Aomori round trip, Tokyo-Nagano-Niigata-Koriyama-Tokyo. I have experience driving through extraordinary rain on the Tohoku Expressway, and visibility was so poor that I drove at 100 km/h. (Touring Package, almost the same spec)

Driving a Porsche in Germany

【3】Two years ago, I rented a 991.2 Carrera 2 GTS for 24 hours through the Porsche Drive program at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. The route was a night stay at the spa town Baden-Baden, then through the Black Forest, and back to Stuttgart.

German drivers have excellent manners, and Germans are very strict about rules. When I approached at 200 km/h in the left passing lane, cars ahead would steadily give way, which was exhilarating. But if you let your guard down, hypercars come up behind at 300 km/h, and you have to yield lanes.

The German approach to speed limits on roads is extremely rational. The default is no speed limit, and speed restrictions are applied only where there is a reasonable accident risk, such as towns, curves, or roadworks.

So everyone obeys speed limits well, and it’s dangerous if you don’t. Also, once the restricted zone ends, it’s full throttle acceleration to 180 km/h or more, which makes for a very dynamic driving experience. I really felt that Porsche is meant to be driven around Germany. (Tetsu)

【4】I recently traveled to Germany and France. I used the Autobahn to move from Munich to Stuttgart and Frankfurt. The rental car was not a Porsche but a Volkswagen Touareg.

On the unrestricted sections, I drove at 200 km/h, and it was astonishingly stable. I felt this is the true strength of German cars and the level they are expected to meet. A Porsche might have gone even faster. (SN)

Mazda Roadster

【5】When I test drove an MT Roadster before, the first thing I noticed was that the accelerator pedal is “very far to the right.” I usually drive cars like the FIAT 500 or Boxster, which are left-hand drive models converted to right-hand drive for Japan, and these cars often get criticized for the unnatural left-offset pedal position.

Since those cars were my first MTs, I never felt discomfort, but I clearly remember being puzzled by the Roadster’s pedal position, which is naturally placed.

I haven’t test-driven the AT version, but if the accelerator is that far right, I think it’s less likely to confuse it with the brake. I wish there were standards to move the accelerator pedal to the right or to keep a minimum distance between brake and accelerator pedals, instead of relying on electronic controls to prevent pedal misapplication. (Ishi)

【6】I test drove the ND, and it was a fun car even with low power. However, the ABC pedal positions didn’t suit me. I think it’s because a left-hand drive design was forcibly fitted with right-hand drive ABC pedals. The seating position faces slightly outward. (neo)

Abarth 124 Spider

【7】My Abarth 124 Spider is equipped with the Abarth tuned engine and Record Monza exhaust. The acceleration and engine sound are very satisfying. The muffler structure is the same as Porsche’s sports exhaust. Production will end by next year. I highly recommend you try a test drive! (hurtloker)

Royu Driveway

【8】By the way, I don’t know since when or who started it, but there are local rules and characteristics on the Royu Driveway.

– From the toll booth to the observatory, don’t open the muffler valve or speed excessively; drive slowly to avoid disturbing nearby residents. (If reported, police come to the observatory immediately)
– After 10 or 11 am, when returning, be careful of speed traps near Okuike Police Box.
– Sundays from 8 to 11 am are the main busy times, but those who dislike crowds or focus on driving often come as early as 6 am and leave by 8 am.
– The toll booth and Royu maintenance staff are mostly car enthusiasts, and some even drive domestic sports cars, classic cars, or super sports cars.

So, there are various local rules, haha. (Kurumania)

Manual (MT) Cars

【9】My car (991 C4S) also has a heavy clutch, and in Tokyo traffic jams, my leg goes numb after 30 minutes, but it’s truly thrilling on highways and winding roads. I learned about the Royu Driveway from this blog and plan to drive there someday. (Ao)

BMW / Porsche Wheel Cleaning

【10】Comparing Porsche and Alpina (which shares brake pads with BMW), BMW’s brake dust dirt is worse. I couldn’t stand it and switched to low-dust aftermarket pads on my Alpina. It might be an illusion due to wheel design differences. (Wooper)

【11】Not just BMW, but I think foreign cars’ wheels get dirty easily. Probably because the pads and rotors are designed to wear down to stop the car. Based on everyone’s advice, the best solution is to switch to brake pads that produce less dust—it really works. The brake feel changes slightly from stock, but it’s much easier to manage compared to the usual dirtiness. Just a tip! (yone0531)

【12】BMW really produces a lot of brake dust, which is frustrating. The wheels get dirty before the body does. When washing wheels, black stains often splash onto clothes, which is quite a shock and won’t come out even after washing.

I recommend low-dust brake pads. They reduce wheel dirt and make cleaning easier. The brake feel might change a bit, but I don’t think there’s a big difference in braking power. (For street use only)

Many BMW owners switch to low-dust pads, making wheel cleaning much easier. Please give it a try! (wrp930 suga)

【13】Wheel cleaning is a hassle. My Panamera has 21-inch sport design wheels with many small holes that collect dust, so I thought cleaning would be tough. But recently, I couldn’t stand the dirt anymore and gave them a quick shower and a gentle sponge wipe, and they looked as shiny as new.

I’m thinking about finding a gas station with a new type of car wash machine soon. Does anyone know where I can find one? (How to Support Life)

Porsche Cruise Control

【14】Of course, Porsche is a sports car first, unlike Mercedes, so comfort comes second, and I understand that approach. But I really wish the lever-style cruise control would be replaced with buttons.

I’m currently considering purchases and test driving various brands, and Porsche’s driving feel is by far the best. But the lever-style cruise control feels inconvenient, especially since it might get bumped when using turn signals. Compared to Mercedes or BMW’s one-touch button systems, it feels less user-friendly. Of course, Porsche drivers are expected to drive themselves, but still. (laughs) (4e)

Taycan

【15】I was lucky to watch the live broadcast yesterday. One of the broadcast locations was China, and the subtitles showed that Porsche is seriously focusing on the Chinese market.

I also noticed the Taycan’s headlights look like tail lamps on Japanese cars. The 5-minute charge for 100 km range is attractive, but I guess it’s not from a regular household 200V outlet. Some design elements like the white on the headlights and wheels felt a bit off, but seeing the actual car might change my impression. I’m looking forward to the test drive cars arriving in Japan. (Ishi)

【16】The Taycan is finally out. It looks a bit awkward if the ride height isn’t low (like it’s hugging the ground). I’m more interested in the wagon-type version.

I love engines, but I’m looking forward to EVs. Recently, for trips other than enjoying driving, I’ve even started thinking EVs with autonomous driving might be fine. (laughs) (Kurumania)

【17】Taycan is out! On US sites, the Turbo is $150,000 and Turbo S is $185,000. In Japan, it will probably start just under 20 million yen.

If you swap the front lights, it might look just like a Panamera. The eye cut is similar to the Lexus LC. I agree the Panamera looks cooler.

But the 450 km range probably requires very careful driving without heavy acceleration. The battery drains quickly if you keep pushing.

Here, besides Tesla Model S and X, I often see Tesla Model 3. It seems many are switching from Tesla. I look forward to seeing them more on the streets. (SN)

【19】I heard from someone at the Porsche Center that the charging voltage is 800V, and besides facilities, a high-voltage electrical handler license is required. The hurdles are quite high. For general facilities, it might start with installations in condominiums or apartment complexes. (Tetsu)

Panamera

【19】I recently took delivery of my Panamera and am truly appreciating its qualities. I’m still in the break-in period, so I haven’t pushed it yet, but the car itself is really wonderful! Even the engine ignition sound excites me, and driving is genuinely fun.

I’m still surprised by the size when actually driving! It doesn’t bother me while driving, but when parking, I think, “Wow, this is huge!” I get nervous every time I park! I’m planning a drive during the September long weekend as part of the break-in, but I’m a bit worried about parking at the accommodation. (J11050)

【20】My Panamera recently surpassed 8,000 km, and I feel the engine’s responsiveness has stepped up a notch. It feels lighter, not a smooth “suu” but a quick “su” reaching target speeds across the entire range. I’m excited to see how it changes with more mileage.

I still can’t fully use the NAVI (can’t specify arbitrary points on the map), but I’m enjoying my Panamera life so far. (How to Support Life)

Mimasaka Yamanami Road

【21】Today I drove the recommended route from Route 29 to Forest Station Haga. What a wonderful hill climb! I wanted to drive more. Thanks for sharing such a great road. I think I’m hooked for a while.

As my recommendation, please try the “Mimasaka Yamanami Road” in Okayama. It’s about 30 km of continuous high-speed winding roads, and since it’s a farm road, it’s rarely shown on navigation and is very empty. Sorry if you already know it. (Kazu Golden Hills)

Cayenne

After blindly trusting car magazines and buying a Range Rover Vogue, I still can’t forget the shock when I test drove the first-generation Cayenne Turbo. The overwhelming rigidity and acceleration blew me away. The Cayenne Turbo’s overwhelming performance pushed everything else far behind.

Even now, every time I drive it, those memories come back. The immense power moving the massive body is the best way to describe it. (Cayenne Turbo 958.1)

A Porsche Blog Gathering User Voices

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